Abstract: Techniques for colorimetric based test strip analysis and reader system are provided. In one aspect, a method of test strip analysis includes: illuminating a test strip wetted with a sample with select spectrums of light, wherein the test strip includes test pads that are configured to change color in the presence of an analyte in the sample; obtaining at least one digital image of the test strip; and analyzing color intensity from the at least one digital image against calibration curves to determine an analyte concentration in the sample with correction for one or more interference substances in the sample that affect the color intensity. A calibration method and a reader device are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for optical analysis of fluid samples using sensors and water enhancing agents for in-line measurements with a continuous flow of the fluid samples are provided. In one aspect, a device includes: at least one reagent dispenser located at an introduction point along a conduit, the conduit being configured to contain a flow of a fluid sample; at least one first detector located at a first detection point along the conduit downstream from the introduction point; and at least one second detector located at a second detection point along the conduit downstream from the first detection point, wherein the at least one first detector and the at least one second detector are configured to make optical measurements of the fluid sample. A method employing the device is also provided.

Abstract: A health analysis fixture includes a receptacle. A volume of water and a body fluid sample form a water line within the receptacle. A light-emitting device and a light-sensing device are disposed within the receptacle. A measurement device determines a height of the water line before and after an introduction of the body fluid sample. A computer processor is configured to receive sensor data from the light-sensing device, receive the determined height of the water line before and after the introduction of the body fluid sample from the measurement device, calculate a dilution factor for the body fluid sample from the received height of the water line before and after the introduction of the body fluid sample, receive sensor data from the light-sensing device, and interpret the received sensor data based on the dilution factor to generate health information therefrom.

Abstract: Techniques for optical analysis of fluid samples using sensors and water enhancing agents for in-line measurements with a continuous flow of the fluid samples are provided. In one aspect, a device includes: at least one reagent dispenser located at an introduction point along a conduit, the conduit being configured to contain a flow of a fluid sample; at least one first detector located at a first detection point along the conduit downstream from the introduction point; and at least one second detector located at a second detection point along the conduit downstream from the first detection point, wherein the at least one first detector and the at least one second detector are configured to make optical measurements of the fluid sample. A method employing the device is also provided.

Abstract: An electro-optical module assembly is provided that includes a flexible substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the flexible substrate contains an opening located therein that extends from the first surface to the second surface. An optical component is located on the second surface of the flexible substrate and is positioned to have a surface exposed by the opening. At least one electronic component is located on a first portion of the first surface of the flexible substrate, and at least one micro-energy source is located on a second portion of the first surface of the flexible substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus having a spectrometer and techniques for use thereof for efficient and effective point-of-care diagnostics are provided. In one aspect, a device is provided. The device includes: an intake port; fluidic channels connecting the intake port to a detecting chamber(s), wherein the detecting chamber(s) is configured to permit optical measurements of a fluid sample; a vent leading away from the detecting chamber(s); and a liquid blocker between the detecting chamber(s) and an opening of the vent, wherein the liquid blocker permits air to pass therethrough while at the same time restricting liquid flow. A method for analyzing a fluid sample is also provided. The method includes: introducing the fluid sample to the device; contacting the fluid sample with a reagent(s) prior to the fluid sample entering the detecting chamber(s); and making optical measurements of the fluid sample in the detecting chamber(s).

Abstract: Techniques for optical analysis of fluid samples using sensors and water enhancing agents for in-line measurements with a continuous flow of the fluid samples are provided. In one aspect, a device includes: at least one reagent dispenser located at an introduction point along a conduit, the conduit being configured to contain a flow of a fluid sample; at least one first detector located at a first detection point along the conduit downstream from the introduction point; and at least one second detector located at a second detection point along the conduit downstream from the first detection point, wherein the at least one first detector and the at least one second detector are configured to make optical measurements of the fluid sample. A method employing the device is also provided.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a structure for a strain gauge device is provided. The structure comprises a layer of strain gauge material and one or more contact pads positioned directly on the layer of strain gauge material. The structure further comprises a multiplexer, measuring device, amplifier, analog to digital converter, microcontroller, and wireless adapter. According to the structure, the multiplexer selects a given contact pad pair of the one or more contact pad pairs, the measuring device measures signal generated by the layer of strain gauge material between the given contact pad pair, the amplifier amplifies the measured signal, the analog to digital converter converts the amplified analog signal to a digital signal, the microcontroller processes the digital signal, and the wireless adapter transmits the processed digital signal. In addition, the structure may further comprise a battery to provide energy to the structure.

Abstract: Techniques for localized surface modification for microfluidic applications are provided. In one aspect, a method includes: contacting at least one portion of a surface with at least one tri(m)ethoxysilane-containing solution under conditions sufficient to form at least one silane monolayer having a given contact angle on the surface thereby modifying a flow rate over the surface. The silane monolayer can include a silane derivative selected from: trimethoxysilyl-propoxypolyethyleneoxide (TMS-PPEO), hexadecyl-triethoxysilane (HD-TES), tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)triethoxysilane (TDF-THO-TES), and combinations thereof. A device modified in accordance with the present techniques is also provided.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed to antimicrobial bandages with nanostructures, formation thereof, and usage thereof to facilitate wound healing. In one embodiment, a bandage apparatus that facilitates healing a wound is provided. The bandage apparatus comprises a substrate comprising an attachment mechanism that facilitates removably attaching the substrate to a part of a body comprising the wound. The bandage apparatus further comprises a nanostructure film provided on a surface of the substrate and configured to contact the wound when the substrate is attached to the part of the body comprising the wound, wherein the nanostructure film comprises a plurality of nanostructures.

Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor is provided; the transistor has an emitter, a base, and a collector. Said base is coupled to a sensing electrode. Said sensing electrode is immersed in a fluid to be analyzed. Said bipolar junction transistor is biased into the active region. An AC excitation of one of said emitter and said base is caused. A measurement is carried out on a collector current resulting from said AC excitation, to analyze said fluid.

Abstract: Smart toothbrush designs are provided. In one aspect, a toothbrush is provided which includes: a handle portion; and a head portion attached to the handle portion, wherein the head portion has bristles, a sample testing chamber containing at least one electronic sensor, a removable tip for drawing saliva samples into the sample testing chamber, and a calibration solution reservoir connected to the sample testing chamber. In another aspect, the head portion of the toothbrush has at least one optical sensor. A method for acquiring user data using the present smart toothbrush designs is also provided.

Abstract: A submersible sensor device configured as a small pellet for testing biological and other liquid samples is provided. In one aspect, a sensing device includes: a housing; and one or more sensors contained within the housing, wherein the housing hermetically seals the sensors such that the sensing device is fully submersible in a liquid analyte. A method and system for analysis of a liquid sample using the present sensing device are also provided.

Abstract: A method for providing data security comprises operatively connecting sensing elements with a user, sensing characteristics of the user via the sensing elements, wherein each of the sensing elements comprises at least one unique semiconductor identifier. The at least one unique semiconductor identifier and data concerning the sensed characteristics is transmitted from the sensing elements to a data analytics engine, and at least one unique biological identifier associated with the user is attached to the transmission of the at least one unique semiconductor identifier and the data concerning the sensed characteristics. The method further includes verifying by the data analytics engine that the at least one unique semiconductor identifier of the sensing elements and the at least one biological identifier are valid, analyzing by the data analytics engine the data concerning the sensed characteristics, and generating and transmitting a response based on the analysis.

Abstract: A lens structure includes a transparent cell containing a liquid crystal material. The cell is thicker in a center region thereof than at peripheral regions. The structure further includes transparent electrically conductive electrodes coupled with opposing top and bottom surfaces of the cell and configured to establish an electric field through the cell that is strongest at the peripheral regions where the cell is thinner relative to the center region so that a value of the index of refraction of the liquid crystal material changes across the cell from the center region towards the peripheral regions to change an effective focal length of the lens structure. In some embodiments the top surface of the cell has a first curvature C1 and the bottom surface of the cell has a second curvature C2 that differs from the first curvature.

Abstract: A lens structure includes a transparent cell containing a liquid crystal material. The cell is thicker in a center region thereof than at peripheral regions. The structure further includes transparent electrically conductive electrodes coupled with opposing top and bottom surfaces of the cell and configured to establish an electric field through the cell that is strongest at the peripheral regions where the cell is thinner relative to the center region so that a value of the index of refraction of the liquid crystal material changes across the cell from the center region towards the peripheral regions to change an effective focal length of the lens structure. In some embodiments the top surface of the cell has a first curvature C1 and the bottom surface of the cell has a second curvature C2 that differs from the first curvature.

Abstract: A method for detecting an outlier based on a multiple pivots index, comprising: a pivot selection step, of reading a data set, and selecting multiple pivots from the data set to form a pivot set (S11); an index establishment step, of calculating the distance between each object in the data set and the selected multiple pivots, using the distance as a coordinate to form multi-dimensional data space, and establishing an index with the multi-dimensional data space (S12); an outlier detection step, of dividing the index into data blocks, and performing a detection on the data blocks for outliers, block by block (S13). Further provided is a system for detecting an outlier based on a multiple pivots index.

Abstract: A diagnostic patch apparatus has a sampling module that includes sampling means for sampling fluid from a patient's skin when the sampling module is placed against the patient's skin, and a sample chamber coupled in fluid communication with the sampling means. The apparatus also has an analysis module that includes a fluid conduit coupled in fluid communication with the sample chamber of the sampling module and a plurality of sensors coupled in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. The apparatus also may have a reader module that includes at least one optical sensor coupled in optical communication with the analysis module, a microcontroller coupled in electrical communication with the at least one sensor of the analysis module, and a wireless communication package coupled in electrical communication with the microcontroller.

Abstract: A lens structure includes a transparent cell containing a liquid crystal material. The cell is thicker in a center region thereof than at peripheral regions. The structure further includes transparent electrically conductive electrodes coupled with opposing top and bottom surfaces of the cell and configured to establish an electric field through the cell that is strongest at the peripheral regions where the cell is thinner relative to the center region so that a value of the index of refraction of the liquid crystal material changes across the cell from the center region towards the peripheral regions to change an effective focal length of the lens structure. In some embodiments the top surface of the cell has a first curvature C1 and the bottom surface of the cell has a second curvature C2 that differs from the first curvature.

Abstract: An electro-optical module assembly is provided that includes a flexible substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the flexible substrate contains an opening located therein that extends from the first surface to the second surface. An optical component is located on the second surface of the flexible substrate and is positioned to have a surface exposed by the opening. At least one electronic component is located on a first portion of the first surface of the flexible substrate, and at least one micro-energy source is located on a second portion of the first surface of the flexible substrate.